IT is the sinister scene that would strike terror through the heart of any family.

A balaclava-clad thug creeping into a garden on a dark winter’s night with his eyes gleaming and a shadowy accomplice in tow.

These are the CCTV images released by a terrified Hampshire family as police launched an investigation into the chilling campaign of vandalism and violence against them.

The footage shows the men entering their back garden near Totton, pulling the camera to the floor and severing its leads with wire cutters before slaughtering three chickens and leaving a trail of broken glass.

 

The sick duo stamped to death three birds after letting them out of their coop and badly maimed another before wrecking a garden shed and children’s playhouse.

The badly shaken resident who is too scared to give her name, has made a desperate appeal to help catch the vandals after the fourth attack at her home in five years. Her neighbours have also been targeted.

Daily Echo:

She said: “I am absolutely devastated that I was in the house and 30ft away from me they were there, killing my chickens. It scared me so much that I hate being in the house now.”

The bodies of the chickens – named Happy, Sad, Rainy and Sunny – are so badly disfigured she cannot identify them and will have to put down the surviving one because of its injuries.

The thugs also kicked in windows and doors of her daughter’s summerhouse and the garden shed and hacked down fences and netting.

 

The woman claims she has fallen victim three times before but this is the first time she has captured them on camera.

She added: “My daughter sees the chickens as family pets and it’s horrible to explain what has happened to her.”

Neighbours confirmed that at least two other properties had been broken into recently.

A 54-year-old resident said of the latest attack: “I just can’t imagine who would do such a thing. It’s so spiteful and it really upsets me.”

Police confirmed officers are investigating the incident following reports of trespass and criminal damage.

Anyone who witnessed the attack at 9.30pm on Friday should contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.